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Before you buy red dyed diesel, make sure you check the sulfur contents if your coach is 07 or newer. In my area, and up until not very long ago, farm diesel is still 500 ppm sulfur, (new low sulfur is 15 ppm or less).

In my area (Texas) the distributor adds the dye so he tells me. He cannot get "high sulfur" diesel since its no longer refined in the US. Canada must still be refining high sulfur.

Rusty, I was at a cattle auction a couple years ago when the auctioneer made an announcement that weights and measurements officers were in the parking lot checking fuel tanks. We could easily tell which owners had the wrong fuel as they quickly lost the color in their faces.

And no one has challenged that? Once their probe 'breaks the plane' of the end of the exhaust pipe, they have 'entered' my vehicle, just like thru a door or window. How do they justify that 'search and seizure' of exhaust material without probable cause and a warrant?

I'd suggest, if you're running red diesel, you might want to consult with an attorney regarding that question. The courts have ruled numerous times that a motor vehicle is NOT our home and thus not protected to the same extent our homes are by the Fourth Amendment guarantees regarding searches.

I'd suggest, if you're running red diesel, you might want to consult with an attorney regarding that question. The courts have ruled numerous times that a motor vehicle is NOT our home and thus not protected to the same extent our homes are by the Fourth Amendment guarantees regarding searches.

Rusty

A vehicle search is governed by a different set of standards than a search of 'real property'. But there must be an articulatable standard of probable cause to initiate a search. I have just never heard of a 'sweep' search like that, and one that could withstand scrutiny. Where are these 'tailpipe' searches occurring?

I'm an engineer, not an attorney, so I'm bowing out of this phase of the exchange. As I stated, in Texas anywhere farm vehicles congregate (livestock and equipment auctions are quite common). Since the same officers enforce the road taxes as the commercial vehicle regs, they may be doing it at weigh stations as well, although that's speculation on my part.

Personally, I don't practice tax evasion, so I really don't think or worry too much about it.

A vehicle search is governed by a different set of standards than a search of 'real property'. But there must be an articulatable standard of probable cause to initiate a search. I have just never heard of a 'sweep' search like that, and one that could withstand scrutiny. Where are these 'tailpipe' searches occurring?

Just my opinion (I'm not an attorney either) but I think it would like a search inside your garbage bag after you put it at the curb for pick up...

As I've stated twice previously, in Texas it's reported as being quite common at farm equipment and livestock auction parking lots. As Elkhartjim reported, before this new technology became available, the LEOs would "dip the tanks" of the same vehicles at these locations, which would seem to me as being far more intrusive (i.e., has the exhaust in the exhaust pipe entered the public domain?) This practice has been reported firsthand and discussed NUMEROUS times on various diesel truck forums such as Turbo Diesel Register (a Dodge/Cummins forum). Members there state that it's common practice in many agricultural states where off-road diesel is readily available.

I was just looking for an actual location, just one location, where you know firsthand that this practice is occurring, as oppressed to something being repeated and repeated on internet boards, more of the nature of 'urban legend' than real. Certainly, as an engineer, you can appreciate the validation of facts.

I'm not a farmer nor am I a commercial truck driver, so I don't have firsthand knowledge as I don't frequent farm auctions or weigh stations. You might enquire of Elkhartjim for a specific location as he has posted in this thread, IIRC, that he has seen this at livestock auctions.

Ok, I see where you are coming from now.
I have lived in ag communities my entire life. I have owned and operated everything from diesel powered lawn mowers to tractors, utility vehicles to Class 8 trucks. I have purchased my fair share of 'red' diesel, and have paid at least my fair share of taxes. I can look out my window to see a small herd of cattle right now. I have attended an auction or two.... I have never experienced, seen, or heard of the type of tailpipe inspection you, yes you, have stated is occurring. : Originally Posted by RustyJC
Yes, that's exactly what they do.I look for factual information, not misinformation from a respectable forum like this. I just asked for a factual response so that could be enlightened.